Artificial Intelligence Makes its Way to Front-line Security

As a long-promised feature of the digital age, artificial intelligence is finally making real strides into many aspects of mainstream security. From personal computing systems to vast online casino networks, this is a development long promised. Offering considerable advantages over traditional methods, these specially-designed systems will indisputably become a pronounced form of protection going forward, but how do they work, and what exactly makes them special?

While understanding the coding basics behind this technology requires a degree’s worth of knowledge, the concepts behind these systems are quite simple. Artificial intelligence security technology works to recognize patterns in attacks and security flaws, and then either implements steps to mitigate these flaws, or hands off relevant information to human security staff.

Defending against DDoS Attacks

“081111-bbc-ddos-attack” (CC BY 2.0) by pingdom

One of the more common types of attacks which are seen today are DDoS attacks. This is the effective flooding of a server with bogus connections, taking up all possible bandwidth and processor power in order to prevent service to legitimate users. A security system as led by artificial intelligence could work by taking account of large spikes of traffic and comparing it against standard levels of use.

From here, it could run a system to cancel incomplete connections or block a range of addresses if they were found to come from a central source. From streaming sites to online casinos, high-traffic services that must provide consistent and reliable connectivity can make a great deal of use of AI protection.

Combatting Phishing Scams

A similar example of implementation can be seen with how we already deal with issues of phishing scams. Most commonly, these come in the form of mass emails which attempt to trick a small number of users by sheer volume and taking advantage of the few most unlucky or computer illiterate.

Artificial intelligence could work to identify common phrases in these emails, cross-referencing them with user reports of scams. Following this action, the AI could automatically delete the messages, block the addresses where they originated and spread information of that particular scam into the wider internet.

High-Traffic Industries Expanding Protection

“System Lock” (CC BY 2.0) by Yu. Samoilov

With all this potential, it is little surprise that many of the biggest industries on the web are looking to expand their protection into this new era. As previously mentioned, online casinos are a perfect example of this, as most of their users are paying with visa in an online casino, they stay safe by utilizing whatever cutting-edge technology they can. From accreditation to high-level SSL encryption, these stand as some of the most likely to lead the way to mass adoption.

It’s important to note that while the actions which are performed by AI are possible through human means, the primary advantage here comes from the reliability and efficiency of digital systems. Without the need for direct human input, the constant threat of human error on a case-by-case basis is mitigated, though this will naturally mean a high level of QA testing of the AI itself.

Efficiency on this front is born through the ability of AI to operate far faster and at a far lower cost than even a team of highly trained security specialists. This doesn’t remove the need of these specialists completely, as they will still be needed to oversee the program and make high-level decisions, but the digital processing means that experts can focus more on the things that matter, leaving the grunt-work to the machines.

AI Analyzing Patterns Benefits and Other Services

Again turning to the online casino example, consider how many websites receive thousands or even millions of clicks a day. Sorting through all of this data for such a wide range of slots and other casino games would not realistically be possible for humans. Allowing AI to understand the basic rules and point out breaks in the patterns, however, make this not only possible but also routine and reliable.

After making significant strides recently, expect AI security to soon become commonplace for professional and personal use. While not impervious, this does at least mean a greater level of internet security all-around, making it a valuable addition to an age of growing digital dangers.

Source: https://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/artificial-intelligence-a-cybersecurity-solution-or-the-greatest-risk-of-all/